PLDT to make PSL return

MANILA, Philippines – A pioneer team will be making a return when the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference opens on October 30.

PLDT, one of the six founding clubs, reportedly already confirmed its participation to hike the total number of teams to eight in the country’s most prestigious semi-professional women’s volleyball league.

A league insider revealed that the squad will merge with Smart and will be handled by legendary mentor Roger Gorayeb.

The team has yet to formally submit its final roster, but the likes of national team members Jasmine Nabor and Gretchel Soltones are tipped to banner the squad as well as rising stars Aiko Urdas, Alyssa Eroa, Angel Cayuna, Czarina Carandang, Jerili Malabanan, Jorelle Singh and Celine Domingo.

Veterans Lizlee Ann Pantone and Lou Ann Latigay are also expected to return after a long absence in the PSL.

“It’s almost a go,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We know PLDT as a very competitive team when the league started in 2013. So we expect the wards of coach Roger to bring back the same fire and intensity against the heavyweights of the league like Petron and F2 Logistics.”

PLDT has a glorious past.

The team finished fifth in the league’s inaugural conference before advancing in the semifinals with Americans Kaylee Mannes and Savannah Noyes as imports.

It returned the following year for All-Filipino Conference and was carried by Sue Roces, Maruja Banaticla, Jem Ferrer, Latigay and Pantone to another semifinal finish.

It proved to be its final stand.

It transferred to Shakey’s V-League the following conference and had some measure of success when it tapped Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago to counter the firepower and chemistry of veteran-laden Philippine Army.

Early this year, the squad carried the banner of PayMaya in the Premier Volleyball League.

But with sister team Smart joining the PSL as well, their mother company — the Manny V. Pangilinan Group — decided that it would be wise if they would merge to form a super team, instead.

Aside from the Blaze Spikers and Cargo Movers, who are arguably two of the elite teams in the country today, mainstays Foton, Generika-Ayala, Sta. Lucia Realty, Cocolife and sister team Cignal HD are also tipped to give Smart a run for its money.